Pailon del Diablo: an Andean waterfall carved into volcanic rock
Published on 08/31/2026 at 09:12 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Pailon del Diablo, the “Devil’s Cauldron” near Banos in central Ecuador, is a high Andean waterfall where the Río Verde plunges into a narrow volcanic gorge and sends spray across walkways and viewing platforms.
Water, rock and rainforest in the Río Verde gorge
Pailon del Diablo lies in the Río Verde parish east of Banos de Agua Santa, along the Baños–Puyo road that follows the valley of the Río Pastaza towards the Amazon Basin.The Devil’s Cauldron waterfall stands in Tungurahua Province and is reached through the small town of Río Verde, where the road drops into lush, humid forest cut by deep ravines.The entrance to Cascada El Pailón lies off the road from Banos to Puyo
The waterfall forms where the Río Verde river, a tributary in the upper Amazon catchment, forces its way through volcanic rock and falls around 80 m (260 ft) into a confined basin before continuing downstream to join the Pastaza.The cascade is widely described as being about 80 metres high and is surrounded by dense, evergreen vegetation typical of the Ecuadorian cloud forest.The Río Pastaza system links this Andean valley to the wider Amazon basin
Approaching the Devil’s Cauldron
Approaching Pailon del Diablo means moving from the highway down into a network of footpaths, stairways and bridges built into the steep sides of the gorge. From the entrance above Río Verde, a signed path descends through secondary forest to a hanging bridge that spans the river and offers a high vantage point over the falls and the surrounding slopes.Local descriptions emphasise the bridge as one of the main viewpoints From here, the waterfall appears as a column of water hammering into the rock basin, with spray rising to the level of the bridge.
Closer to the water, a separate route leads down stairways cut into the rock and through short tunnels to platforms near the base of the falls. These paths bring visitors within a few metres of the torrent, where the sound of the water dominates and droplets of mist coat handrails and clothing.The site layout includes stairways, platforms and a path that passes behind the cascade The built elements remain relatively compact, squeezed between the river and the forested slopes, so the experience stays focused on water and rock rather than on extensive visitor infrastructure.
A waterfall shaped by volcanic geology
The character of Pailon del Diablo is defined as much by geology as by hydrology. The surrounding cliffs and boulders are formed from dark volcanic rock, a reminder that Tungurahua Province sits in a volcanic belt where eruptions and lava flows have carved steep-sided valleys. Over time, the Río Verde has exploited weaknesses in this rock, cutting a narrow channel and eroding a basin whose outline, viewed from certain angles, is said to resemble a face in profile. That perceived outline, together with the churning water, underpins the “Devil’s Cauldron” name by which the falls are best known.Local tourism material notes that rock formations at the base suggest a devil’s face
The wider setting reinforces the impression of a waterfall embedded in living landscape rather than isolated in bare rock. Ferns, mosses and other plants cling to damp surfaces along the paths, benefiting from the constant spray, while trees on the valley sides frame views of the river and falls. The contrast between the dark, hard rock and the soft greenery is one of the defining visual combinations at Pailon del Diablo, especially when seen from the bridge or from platforms slightly above the cascade.Travel descriptions repeatedly place the falls within lush Andean forest
Visiting Pailon del Diablo: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Pailon del Diablo is accessed from the town of Banos de Agua Santa in central Ecuador, along the road towards Puyo, with entrances near the village of Río Verde.
- The paths to the main viewpoints involve steep stairways, short tunnels and sections of wet stone, so footwear with good grip is useful and those with limited mobility face a demanding walk.
- The surrounding area lies in humid Andean rainforest, and low cloud and drizzle are common, so waterproof layers help when spending time near the spray from the falls.
- The official language is Spanish and the currency is the US dollar.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Pailon del Diablo
Where is Pailon del Diablo located?
Pailon del Diablo is situated near the village of Río Verde east of Banos de Agua Santa, along the Baños–Puyo road in Tungurahua Province, Ecuador.
What can visitors expect on a visit?
Visitors encounter a high waterfall dropping into a volcanic gorge, with forested slopes, viewing platforms, stairways and a hanging bridge that bring them close to the spray and sound of the Río Verde.
What makes Pailon del Diablo distinctive among Ecuadorian waterfalls?
Its combination of an approximately 80 m (260 ft) drop, confined rocky basin, rock shapes linked to the “Devil’s Cauldron” name and surrounding cloud forest gives Pailon del Diablo a particularly dramatic Andean setting.
